Nehemiah: Chapter 12
5 Characteristics of a Dedicated Church:
Purpose is clear.
(v. 27) “Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness…”
Participation is common.
(v. 27) “…the Levites…”
(v. 31) “…the leaders…”
(v. 35) “…the priests…”
(v. 36) “…the scribe…”
(v. 40) “…the officials…”
(v. 42) “…and the singers…”
(v. 43) “…the women and children…”
(v. 45) “…the gatekeepers…”
(v. 47) “…all Israel…”
Everyone is pitching in. They are all doing kingdom work. You never hear anyone say, “that’s not my job”
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…”
Praise is contagious.
(v. 31) “Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall, and I appointed two great choirs…”
(v. 40) “Then the two choirs took their stand in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me…”
(v. 42-43) “…And the singers sang, with Jezrahiah their leader, and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced…”
Purification is continuing.
(v. 30) “The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall.”
(v. 45) “For they performed the worship of their God and the service of purification…”
Peace is circulated.
(v. 43b) “…the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.”
What is our joy? A building? Some “blessing”? Is it Jesus? When its Jesus, the church will be dedicated…
